Device for grinding water meter chambers



March 22, 1955. E. c. REICH 2,704,421

DEVICE FOR GRINDING WATER METER CHAMBERS iled Nov. 23,- 1953 INVENTOR :ER NEST CIREICH United States Patent DEVICE FDR GRINDING WATER METER CHAMBERS Ernest C. Reich, Memphis, Tenn.

Application November 23, 1953, Serial No. 393,775

Claims. (Cl. 51-26) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in means for grinding meters, particularly for grinding the chambers and nutating disc pistons employed in water meters.

As is well known, water meters and the like are employed for measuring fiow quantity and in many instances employ a closed chamber through which the flow is directed, in which chamber is mounted a disc which is supported for oscillatory movement under the influence of the flow in order to translate the flow into a positive motion and to transmit such motion to a registering device by which the quantity of flow is recorded. Of necessity the accuracy of the measurement depends upon the accuracy of operation of the disc piston responsive to flow and requires that the disc and chamber be so related as to insure smooth and unimpaired disc movement.

It accordingly is desirable that prior to installation such flow chambers and their supported discs should be ground in together and finished so as to mutually eliminate surface unevennesscs and roughnesses to insure absolute accuracy of operation. It is found also that under use conditions such flow chambers tend to accumulate deposits of sediment and the like which impair the accuracy of operation and which are best removed by a grinding process.

Devices have heretofore been proposed for mechanically effecting grinding of water meters. However, such prior devices have lacked the convenience and facility of use and have employed expedients, such as threadedly engaging the flow chamber, a condition which inhibits a reversal of grinding direction, as such reversal would of necessity tend to disengage the threaded engagement, and which prior devices have failed to provide for an incremental increasing of clamping pressure during the grinding operation. It has been found that in the grinding of the meter chambers it is desirable for proper finishing of the work to begin the grinding at low speed, subsequently reversing the grinding direction, to incrementally increase clamping on the meter chamber, to increase the grinding speed, finishing at the increased speed and subsequently reversing the direction of finishing grinding.

The inability of prior devices to provide for these desirable operations has impeded and limited the utility thereof.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel combination of means for effectively grinding meter chambers as for flow meters.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for rotationally oscillating the disc piston of a flow meter to effect grinding of the meter and the chamber, which includes means for driving the disc at desired grinding speeds and of reversing the disc drive and which further includes means for clamping the flow chamber and incrementally increasing the chamber clamping during the operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device, which includes a drill press and stand, and a jig associated with the stand and press, including a plurality of removably mounted adapters for supporting water meter chambers of varying sizes and vise-like clamping means vertically shiftable relative to a support ed meter chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel means for grinding water meters; and

A further object of the invention is to generally im- "ice prove the design, construction and efliciency of grinding devices.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the invention in use position.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken as on the line III-III of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken as on the line lV-IV of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the present invention is illustrated in connection with the grinding of a disc piston and chamber of a type used in connection with water meters and registers.

The meter chamber, indicated at 11, is approximately circular in shape and includes, as is conventional, an upper casing portion and a lower casing portion which are fitted and held together and which house for rocking and oscillatory movement a nutating disc 13, disc 13 being mounted on a centrally located, substantially spherical portion 15, the upper and lower walls of chamber 11 being provided with suitable bearing sections for seating and retaining the sphere 15. The upper wall of chamber 11 is centrally apertured as at 16 for the conventional projection of an axially disposed pin-like lever 17 which is rigidly fixed into sphere 15. Normally, disc 13 is radially slotted and the radial slot conventionally embraces a vertically disposed wall section within the chamber 11, thus holding the disc from rotation while allowing the disc to rock and oscillate. The central slotting and wall section are well known and are not here shown. As is conventional, the chamber 11 is provided with an inlet and an outlet for respectively receiving and discharging liquid flow therethrough, such flow in use of the meter causing the disc 13 to rock and oscillate, imparting a substantially rotary motion to the pin lever 17 which is in turn coupled to the conventional register mechanism and thus transmits the flow motion for recording of the quantity of flow.

As pointed out hereinabove it is imperative that the movements of the disc within the chamber and consequently the resultant rotary path of the pin 17 should be free and unimpeded in order to insure complete accuracy in the measurements.

The present invention is employed for the purpose of applying externally to the pin 17 a rotary motion like that imparted to the pin by flow through the chamber, the externally imparted motion being transmited to the disc, causing the disc to move in a rocking and oscillatory manner and, in the presence of suitable abrasives, effectively grinding the edge surface of the disc and the inner wall surfaces of the chamber, as well as mutually grinding the surface of sphere 15 and the embracing bearing surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the chamber.

Basically the grinding device comprises a drill press 19 and a chamber-holding jig 21. Drill press 19 includes a base 23 upon which jig 21 is seated, the jig being rigidly fixed to base 23, preferably as by bolts 24. From one end of the base 23 a substantially vertical post 25 projects upwardly and adjacent its upper end post 25 sup ports an arbor 27 which projects forwardly to overlie jig 21. Carried by the arbor 27 is a downwardly depending chuck 29, carried upon a vertical shaft 31 journalled in the arbor 27, and to shaft 31 is fixed a compound chuck drive pulley including upper and lower pulley sections 33, 34, one of which, as section 33, is drivingly connected as by a belt 35 to a pulley section of a second compound pulley, preferably consisting of upper, intermediate and lower pulley sections 36, 37, 38, suitably journalled on a vertical post 25.

It will be observed that the compound pulleys are in relative inverted position for speed reducing or increasing purposes, and that the chuck pulley 33, 34 is preferably arranged with upper section 33 as the larger diameter section and lower section 34 as a reduced diameter section immediately beneath, while the sections of the other compound pulley are preferably arranged with the smallest diameter section 36 uppermost and its largest diameter section 38 lowermost, and with intermediate section 37 of intermediate diameter.

Pulley section 38 is coupled by a belt 39 to a small driven pulley 40 carried on the shaft of and driven by a reversible motor 41, motor 41 being preferably supported from arbor 27 or otherwise from post 25. It will be observed that belt 39 is coupled to the largest pulley section 38 of the post-carried compound pulley, thus effecting a reduction from the speed of motor 41, and it will further be observed that each of the sections of pulley 33, 34 are of diameter larger than the diameter of pulley sections of pulley 36, 37, thus permitting a further speed reduction.

It will be observed that as shown in Fig. 1, belt 35 may be positioned to couple pulley section 33 to pulley section 36, thus effecting the maximum desired speed reduction, and that the belt 35 may be shifted to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which coupling is effected be tween pulley section 34 and pulley section 37, thus providing for a variation in speed of drive of the chuck 29. Secured in the jaws of chuck 29 and projecting therebelow is a drive finger 43 including a substantially vertical axially disposed portion and a radially projecting offset finger portion, which finger portion is adapted to engage the pin-like lever 17 and upon rotation to impart rotary motion to the pin 17 as desired.

Jig 21 consists preferably of a hollow body portion 45 which is illustrated as being of cylindrical shape and as having upper and lower heads 47, 48 with the upper head 47 seating on an internal peripheral shoulder 49 and with the edge of the cylinder wall projecting above the upper face of upper head 47 so as to provide an annular lip 51. The upper and lower heads 47, 48 are provided with central thrust bearings 53, 54, in which bearings are rotatably supported the opposite ends of a worm shaft having an elongated worm section. Threadedly engaged with the worm section of Worm shaft 55 is an internally threaded hub 57 of a transversely disposed bar 59, the device being arranged so that upon rotation of worm shaft 55 vertical and incremental shifting of the transversely disposed bar 59 is effected. For the purpose of effecting rotation of worm shaft 55 a bevel gear 61 is mounted on the worm shaft adjacent its lower end. which gear is in mesh with a similar bevel gear 63 fixed to a crank shaft 65, horizontally and rotatably supported by a suitable bearing 66 in the front portion of jig body 45, the crank shaft projecting outwardly beyond the i jig body and having a suitable crank 67 fixed thereto.

The opposite sides of the jig body 45 are slotted as at 68, 69 and through the slots 68, 69 the opposite ends of transverse bar 59 laterally project outwardly. Adjacent the slots 68, 69 vertical elongated guides are provided. these guides consisting of vertically disposed, horizontally spaced pairs of plates 70, 71 joined at their respective lower ends by stop plates 72, 73. The guide- Ways thus formed are respectively disposed adjacent and in register with the slots in the jig body 45 and closely embrace the oppositely projecting ends of transverse bar 59. To the opposite ends of bar 59 are rigidly fixed upwardly projectin vise arms 75. 76. a portion of each of the vise arms 75. 76 being slidably engaged in the guide members 70, 71. thus inhibiting undesired rocking of the vise arms. Each of the vise arms at its upper end carries an inwardly and downwardly bent integral portion 75A, 76A. each of the portions 75A. 76A ter minating in a substantially horizontal face 75B, 76B. Preferably each of the faces 75B. 76B is provided with a clamp boss 77. The vise portions 75A, 76A project inwardly to overlie the jig body 45 and are spaced apart to receive therebetween chuck 29 and drive finger 43 carried thereby.

Seated on upper cylinder head 47 is an adapter plate 79 provided with a depending annular ring 80 of a size to snugly fit within the annular lip 51 of jig body 45, accurately centering the adapter plate over the jig body. Internally adapter plate 79 is provided with a stepped surface having a plurality of steps or levels therein, each of the steps or levels being adapted to have seated therein a meter chamber of the type here involved, the various steps being provided to accommodate meter chambers of varying diameters. As illustrated, a second adapter plate 81 is seated and centered in the plate 79,

being preferably provided with a lower peripheral undercut adapted to closely nest within at least one of the stepped levels of plate 79. Adapter plate 81 is provided with an internally stepped surface, each of the levels of which is adapted to accommodate a meter chamber, the second plate being provided to enable the use of the device with additional variations in meter chamber diameters of intermediate length. Seated and centered in adapter plate 81 is a third adapter plate 83 which is simi larly provided with an internal stepped surface to accommodate additional meter chamber sizes.

As shown in the drawings, meter chamber 11 is shown as seated and centered in one of the levels of the interior stepped surface of plate 83, thus effectively centering meter chamber 11 relative to jig body 45 and vise arms 75, 76 carried thereby. It will be observed that jig body 45 and its related instrumentalities are mounted on press base 23 so as to be accurately centered beneath chuck 29 and drive finger 43 carried thereby.

Seated on the upper surface of meter chamber 11 is a clamp plate 85 which is of a length to underlie and be engaged by the clamp bosses 77. Centrally clamp plate 85 is provided with a substantially ring-like portion 89 adapted to overlie and engage the upper surface of meter chamber 11, ring-like portion 88 being centrally open to provide access downwardly therethrough to the upwardly projecting pin-like lever 17. The ring portion 88 is preferably cut out as at 89 to facilitate placing and removing of clamp plate 85 relative to a positioned meter chamber 11. It will be seen that drive finger 43 is projected downwardly into ring portion 88 and there engages the upwardly projecting lever 17. It will be noted that clamp plate 85 and adapter plates 79, 81 and 83 are removable from jig body 45.

In use of the device an adapter plate of size to receive the meter chamber to be conditioned is positioned on jig body 45. It will be observed that if the meter chamber is of large diameter only adapter plate 79 will be seated on the jig body and the meter chamber will be seated directly in the adapter plate in the manner of seat ing meter chamber 11 in adapter plate 83 as illustrated. Similarly if the meter chamber to be conditioned is of one of the intermediate diameters, adapter plate 81 will be seated on adapter plate 79 and the meter chamber similarly positioned on the adapter plate.

In the device as illustrated, the third adapter plate 83 has been seated in adapter plate 81 and meter chamber 11 seated therein. During these placing operations the vise arms 75, 76 are preferably raised to an elevated position, such as that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. When the meter chamber has been seated on its selected adapter plate clamp plate 85 is positioned to overlie the meter chamber and is conveniently introduced to such position by moving the plate horizontally so that cutout 89 passes the upwardly projecting lever 17 and down wardly projecting drive finger 43. The clamp plate is seated with ring-like portion 88 on the upper surface of the meter chamber and with depressions 87 underlying clamp bosses 77. Transverse bar 59 and vise arms 75, 76 carried thereby are lowered by rotation of crank 67 until the clamp bosses are seated solidly in depressions 87, although it is preferable for best results that the vise arms should be pulled down only so firmly as to hold the meter chamber against rotation under slow speed drive of the finger 43.

Belt 35 is positioned as shown in Fig. l for maximum reduction of speed, motor 41 is energized, driving the finger 43 and consequently transmitting rotary motion to lever 17, rocking and oscillating disc 13 and sphere 15 in chamber 11. In order to properly grind the surfaces it is desirable to reverse the direction of drive and accordingly the motor 41 is reversed, effecting counterrotation of lever 17 and opposite oscillatory and rocking motion of the disc and sphere. During the grinding in process. which is done at the above mentioned slow speed, the vise arms 75, 76 are gradually pulled down. thus incrementallv increasing the clamping upon meter chamber 11 until the maximum clamping has been effected. After grinding in at the above mentioned low speed. belt 35 is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 2 so that the driven speed of finger 43 is increased from the low speed grinding in drive. the increase in speed being provided for purposes of finishing the edges and surfaces.

It will be seen that through the use of the device the grinding in and finishing may be quickly accomplished and when accomplished the motor is turned off, the vise arms quickly raised to free clamp plate 85 which may be horizontally removed, utilizing cutout 89, and thereafter meter chamber 11 lifted from its supporting adapter late.

It will be further seen that the incremental increase in clamping pressure is desirable effecting compression of the chamber and causing the sphere embracing bearing sections of the chamber to more snugly seat against the sphere, thus insuring accurate finishing of the surfaces after the initial roughing-out of the low speed grinding phase of the operation.

I claim:

1. Means for grindingly conditioning water meter chambers and nutating discs rockably and oscillatably mounted therein, comprising a rotary drive finger including a laterally projecting ofi'set portion adapted to engage and impart a rotary motion to the central pin lever of a nutating disc to be conditioned, means for driving said finger including a reversible motor for selectively effecting rotation and counter rotation thereof, variable speed means coupling said motor to said finger, chamber supporting means underlying said drive finger, said chamber supporting means including a base, a plurality of adapter plates removably and nestedly seated above said base, said adapter plates each including stepped inner surfaces adapted respectively to receive and retain water meter chambers of varying sizes, said stepped surfaces being vertically centered beneath said drive finger to center a supported meter chamber therebeneath with the pin lever projecting upwardly, clamping means for engaging a meter chamber when supported above said base, said clamping means including a clamp plate for overlying a supported meter chamber, a pair of vise arms being supported alongside said base, means for incrementally vertically shifting said vise arms into and out of clamping position mounted in said base, and guide means carried by said base embracing and guiding said vise arms during vertical shift.

2. Means for grindingly conditioning Water meter chambers and nutating discs rockably and oscillatably mounted therein, comprising a rotary drive finger including a laterally projecting offset portion adapted to engage and impart a rotary motion to the central pin lever of a nutating disc to be conditioned, means for driving said finger including a motor, means coupling said motor to said finger, chamber supporting means including a base, a plurality of adapter plates removably and nestedly seated above said base, said adapter plates each including stepped inner surfaces adapted respectively to receive and retain water meter chambers of varying sizes, said stepped surfaces being vertically centered beneath said drive finger to center a supported meter chamber therebeneath with the pin lever projecting upwardly, clamping means for engaging a meter chamber when supported above said base, said clamping means including a clamp plate for overlying a supported meter chamber, a pair of vise arms including portions overlying said base, said vise arms being supported alongside said base, means for incrementally vertically shifting said vise arms into and out of clamping position mounted in said base, and guide means carried by said base elnlaaracing and guiding said vise arms during vertical 8 t.

3. Means for grindingly conditioning water meter chambers and nutating discs rockably and oscillatably mounted therein, comprising a rotary drive member, means for driving said member including a motor, means coupling said motor to said member, chamber supporting means underlying said drive member, said chamber supporting means including a base, a plurality of adapter plates removably and nestedly seated above said base, said adapter plates each including stepped inner surfaces adapted respectively to receive and retain water meter chambers of varying sizes, said stepped surfaces being vertically centered beneath said drive finger to center a supported meter chamber therebeneath with the pin lever projecting upwardly, and clamping means for engaging a meter chamber when supported above said base, said clamping means including a clamp plate for overlying a supported meter chamber, a pair of vise arms including portions overlying said base, said vise arms being supported alongside said base, and means for incrementally vertically shifting said vise arms into and out of clamping position mounted in said base.

4. Means for grindingly conditioning water meter chambers and nutating discs rockably and oscillatably mounted therein, comprising a rotary drive member adapted to engage and impart a rotary motion to the central pin lever of a nutating disc to be conditioned, means for driving said member including a motor, variable speed means coupling said motor to said member, chamber supporting means underlying said member, said chamber supporting means including a base, adapter means adapted to receive and retain water meter chambers of varying sizes, and clamping means for engaging a meter chamber when supported above said base, said clamping means including a pair of vise arms having portions overlying said base, said vise arms being supported alongside said base, means for incrementally vertically shifting said vise arms into and out of clamping position mounted in said base, and guide means carried by said bfitsfe embracing and guiding said vise arms during vertical s i t.

5. Means for grindingly conditioning water meter chambers and nutating discs rockably and oscillatably mounted therein, comprising a rotary drive member adapted to engage and impart a rotary motion to the central pin lever of a nutating disc to be conditioned, means for driving said member, chamber supporting means underlying said drive member and including a base, and clamping means for engaging a meter chamber when supported above said supporting means, said clamping means including a pair of vise arms having portions overlying said base, said vise arms being supported alongside said base, and means for incrementally vertically shifting said vise arms into and out of clamping position mounted in said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Shields et al Oct. 29 ,1912 

